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Show Hlttory of Jlnger Wnffc "Nobody seem to be able to tell exactly ex-actly when finger rings were worn first, said a dealer recently. "The wearing of finger rings lias been almost universal, und the custom began at a very early period of the world's history. Some traditions tra-ditions say that Tubal Cain was the first one to decorate his fingers with a dainty piece of metal. ' The first authentic reference to finger rings occurs in the Old Testament, whore Judah's signet ring is mentioned. It is also evident that they were in use among the Egyptians at that time, for Pharaoh is said 'to have taken the ring off his own finger and put it on Joseph's hand when he made hiin ruler over Egypt. The Egyptians were evidently very fond of rings, for the hands of female mummies that have been found have been profusely decorated with rings, many of them having very costly ones on every finger. The poorer class seem n hnvH worn rines. too. but of cheaper material, such as bronze, glass and pottery. pot-tery. The ancient Chaldeans and Persians Per-sians used to wear rings. In those days rings seem to have been worn not so much for ornament as for practical purposes. They were used for sealing. The Romans used to wear signet rings of iron, and every free man had the right to wear one. ' Ambassadors in the early days used to wear gold rings as a part of their official dress. Thispriv-ilege Thispriv-ilege of wearing rings was afterward extended ex-tended to chief magistrates and senators. The emperors used to confer this right upon those whom they wished to favor. Nowadays the wearing of rings lias no particular significance except the wedding wed-ding ring or the engagement ring. Anybody Any-body who wants to and who can afford to purchase one can wear a signet ring. The custom of wearing rings is a very popular one, and the manufacture of them forms one of the most important branches of the jewelers' industry. New York Mail and Express. |